# NetBox vs phpIPAM: IP Address Management

## Quick Verdict

NetBox is the better choice for infrastructure teams that need full data center infrastructure management (DCIM) alongside IP address management. It has a comprehensive API, strong community, and models devices, racks, circuits, and cables — not just IPs. phpIPAM is the better choice if you only need IP address management and want a simpler, lighter tool. NetBox for scale, phpIPAM for simplicity.

## Overview

**NetBox** is an infrastructure resource modeling (IRM) application that includes IP address management. Originally built by DigitalOcean, it models the entire data center: devices, racks, cables, circuits, VLANs, IP addresses, and more. Built with Django/Python. [NetBox site](https://netboxlabs.com/oss/netbox/)

**phpIPAM** is a dedicated IP address management tool. It handles subnets, IP addresses, VLANs, VRFs, and network documentation. Built with PHP and MySQL/MariaDB. Focused specifically on IPAM without the broader DCIM scope. [phpIPAM site](https://phpipam.net/)

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | NetBox | phpIPAM |
|---------|--------|---------|
| IP address management | Yes | Yes |
| Subnet management | Yes | Yes |
| VLAN management | Yes | Yes |
| VRF support | Yes | Yes |
| Device inventory | Yes (full DCIM) | Basic |
| Rack diagrams | Yes | No |
| Cable management | Yes | No |
| Circuit tracking | Yes | No |
| Power tracking | Yes | No |
| API | REST + GraphQL | REST |
| Custom fields | Yes | Yes |
| RBAC | Yes (granular) | Yes (section-based) |
| LDAP/SAML auth | Yes | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes | No |
| Plugins | Yes (Django apps) | No |
| Network scanning | Via plugin | Built-in (ping, SNMP) |
| DNS integration | Via plugin | PowerDNS integration |
| DHCP integration | Via plugin | No |
| Import/export | CSV, bulk import | CSV, XLS |
| Docker image | `netboxcommunity/netbox` | `phpipam/phpipam-www` |
| Database | PostgreSQL | MySQL/MariaDB |
| Runtime | Python (Django) | PHP |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |

## Installation Complexity

**NetBox** is more complex. The Docker deployment uses `docker-compose.yml` with 7+ containers (NetBox, worker, housekeeping, PostgreSQL, Redis, Redis cache). Initial setup requires creating a superuser and configuring ALLOWED_HOSTS. The payoff is a full-featured platform.

**phpIPAM** is simpler — two containers (web server and MariaDB). The web-based installer guides you through database setup and initial configuration. Running within minutes.

## Performance and Resource Usage

| Metric | NetBox | phpIPAM |
|--------|--------|---------|
| RAM (idle) | ~500 MB - 1 GB (full stack) | ~100-200 MB |
| CPU | Moderate | Low |
| Disk | ~500 MB (app) | ~200 MB (app) |
| Database | PostgreSQL + 2x Redis | MySQL/MariaDB |
| Suitable for | 10,000+ objects | 1,000+ subnets |

NetBox is significantly heavier due to its broader scope. phpIPAM is lean and focused.

## Use Cases

### Choose NetBox If...

- You manage data center infrastructure (servers, racks, cables)
- You want a single source of truth for all infrastructure
- You need a comprehensive REST/GraphQL API for automation
- You want plugin extensibility
- You manage multiple sites or data centers
- You use Ansible/Terraform and want NetBox as the source of truth

### Choose phpIPAM If...

- You only need IP address and subnet management
- You want the simplest IPAM setup
- Your network is small to medium (< 10,000 IPs)
- You want built-in network scanning (ping checks)
- Resources are constrained

## Final Verdict

**NetBox for infrastructure teams.** If you manage more than just IP addresses — devices, racks, circuits, cables — NetBox is the industry standard. The API-first design makes it the backbone of infrastructure automation.

**phpIPAM for network teams.** If IP address management is your primary need and you don't want the overhead of full DCIM, phpIPAM does the job efficiently with lower resource requirements.

## FAQ

### Is NetBox overkill for a homelab?

For most homelabs, yes. phpIPAM or even a spreadsheet handles homelab IP management. NetBox becomes valuable when you have 20+ devices, multiple VLANs, and want API-driven automation.

### Can phpIPAM do what NetBox does?

For IP/subnet/VLAN management, mostly yes. phpIPAM lacks device inventory, rack diagrams, cable management, and the plugin ecosystem. If you only need IPAM, that's fine.

### Does either integrate with DNS?

phpIPAM has native PowerDNS integration. NetBox has DNS plugins (netbox-dns). Both can feed DNS records from IP assignments, but neither is a DNS server itself.

## Related

- [Self-Hosting NetBox](/apps/netbox/)
- [Self-Hosting phpIPAM](/apps/phpipam/)
- [Unbound vs CoreDNS](/compare/unbound-vs-coredns/)
- [PowerDNS vs CoreDNS](/compare/powerdns-vs-coredns/)
- [Best Self-Hosted DNS](/best/dns-networking/)
- [Docker Compose Basics](/foundations/docker-compose-basics/)
- [Networking Concepts](/foundations/ports-explained/)